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Hicks calls on civilian, military leaders to preserve success of all-volunteer force
November 8, 2023 — Maintaining healthy civil-military relations and taking care of service members is critical to maintaining the success of the Defense Department's all-volunteer force, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said... MORE

: Soldiers in uniform salute while standing in formation.

DOD to upgrade discharges from 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy 
September 21, 2023 — The Defense Department is now working to upgrade veterans' discharges that were less than honorable as a result of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said. ... MORE

A woman speaks before a crowd of people.

DOD won't stop looking until all POW/MIAs are home
September 15, 2023 — Nearly 81,000 American service members remain missing after having served in several wars. During an event at the Pentagon, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks vowed the DOD would never stop looking for them. ... MORE

A person works places sandbags around an excavated area.

Deputy Defense Secretary underscores DOD's commitment to suicide prevention
September 7, 2023 — The Defense Department remains relentlessly committed to the health and welfare of the total force, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said... MORE

DOD releases plan for implementing cyber workforce strategy
August 4, 2023 — The Defense Department Cyber Workforce Strategy sets the foundation for how the Department of Defense will foster a cyber workforce capable of executing complex and varied missions... MORE

Patches on the sleeve of a military uniform say “cyber” and “Air Combat Command.”

U.S. military integration spawned peerless fighting force
July 27, 2023 — During a commemoration event at the Pentagon on July 26, Defense Department leaders reflected on how eliminating barriers benefited not only federal workers and service members, but the nation as a whole. ... MORE

Service members walk down a street and wave to a crowd gathered on the sidewalk.

In 75 years since Women's Armed Services Integration Act, female service members have excelled
June 14, 2023 — Seventy-five years ago, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed, for the first time, women to serve as regular members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks at a lectern with the DOD seal.

Innovation critical to success as DOD faces competition with China
May 11, 2023 — The Department of Defense's propensity to innovate will be vital to deterring future conflict and maintaining the U.S. military's strategic edge going forward, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said May 9... MORE

Lethal, resilient, agile joint force basis for defense budget request
March 14, 2023 — The fiscal 2024 defense budget request is driven by the requirements of the National Defense Strategy and fully enmeshed with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's move to take care of the people of the department... MORE

DOD begins hiring 'prevention' workforce
December 1, 2022 — The Department of Defense is working to create the healthy climates necessary to address a range of problematic and harmful behaviors, including suicide. This will be accomplished, in part, with a new and dedicated workforce focused on community-based prevention... MORE

Team investigating racial disparity in military justice embarks on installation visits
July 8, 2022 — Members of an internal review team tasked with looking into the root causes of racial disparities in the military's investigative and justice systems are conducting a series of listening sessions and visits to military installations... MORE

Leadership key to moving Defense Department toward data-driven future 
June 13, 2022 — Getting after what motivates people — the incentives — is how the department will further its data and AI goals, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks... MORE

DOD pays tribute to LGBTQ+ service members
June 8, 2022 — Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, and also to acknowledge the challenges that remain and reaffirm a commitment to equality for LGBTQ+ people, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said during an event at the Pentagon June 7... MORE

A colorful flag flies; a crowd is in the background.

DOD official: Preventing sexual assault, harassment a DOD priority
April 6, 2022 — The U.S. military and higher education communities have much to learn from one another in preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said April 6... MORE

DOD publishes new software modernization strategy
March 30, 2022 — Delivering a more lethal force requires the ability to evolve faster and be more adaptable than adversaries, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said... MORE

Fiscal 2023 budget funds military for today, future
March 29, 2022 — President Joe Biden's $773 billion fiscal year 2023 Defense Budget Request funds the department for today's security environment and positions DOD to maintain its competitive advantage in the years ahead, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks said... MORE

President's Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Budget

DOD looks at ways to improve child care access
November 30, 2021 — Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks has challenged the Defense Department to uncover new and innovative ways to expand access to quality affordable child care for military families... MORE

Young children and parents are seated as members in an audience.

Defense Department outlines strategy to thwart sexual assault in military
September 23, 2021 — The Department of Defense announced its strategy as approved by the secretary of defense to act on the recommendations of the 90-day Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Military. ... MORE

Americans show support for survivors of 9/11 attack on the Pentagon
September 10, 2021 — A number of organizations and individuals laid wreaths at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Sept. 7, including Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks. She also spoke with some of the survivors of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon... MORE

A row of wreaths is displayed in a row outside.

DOD unveils 2021 POW/MIA Recognition Day poster
July 28, 2021 — The Department of Defense creates a poster each year in advance of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which highlights the department's ongoing efforts to provide the fullest possible accounting of the service members still missing from past conflicts... MORE

Four people lift a drape off a poster, which is sitting on an easel.